$50,000 Highmark grant provides food boxes to families and patients during the COVID-19 pandemic

Erie, Pa. (June 3, 2020) — Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, some families are stressed about more than just the virus — they are experiencing food insecurity. That’s why Highmark has provided a $50,000 grant to the Second Harvest Food Bank in Erie to help feed area families.

“So many people have been impacted financially because they are unable to work during the pandemic, and they are having difficulty putting food on the table,” said Highmark Community Affairs manager Nina Ferraro. “Highmark is proud to lend a helping hand to ensure food security for these families.”

The grant will fund 2,300 boxes of food, which include canned vegetables, pasta and sauce, pancake mix, oatmeal, canned fruit, macaroni and cheese, peanut butter and jelly and more.

“We have seen a significant increase of households being served in the months since the COVID-19 crisis started. This is reflective of the challenges many are facing during this pandemic,” said Karen Seggi, Executive Director of the Second Harvest Food Bank. “Food insecurity is a problem year-round, but it is especially prevalent during the current crisis.”

According to Ferraro, the boxes are also delivered to Saint Vincent patients who have been diagnosed with or exposed to COVID-19 and are under strict quarantine and cannot get out to get groceries.

Highmark is also working with the Erie County Department of Health to provide food boxes to some of the families the Health Department quarantines to address the food insecurities those families are experiencing.